Organized by a small committee of volunteers, the festival originated when Mills and her husband, Larry -- a body shop manager who works on photography as a hobby and develops artwork for the event -- traveled with former Ferndale Mayor Craig Covey to Chicago for a blues festival and decided to host one back home.

They found the idea worked in the bustling Oakland County suburb, and it has grown every year.

This year, the festival runs Friday, Jan. 25, through Feb. 6, in many of Ferndale's best-known entertainment spots in the area of Nine Mile Road and Woodward Avenue such as Dino's Lounge, John D. Bistro, Local Kitchen, Como's, One-Eyed Betty's and more, also extending out to venues in Hazel Park and Royal Oak Township.

Local and traveling musicians highlighted include The Reefermen, Luther "Bad Man" Keith, Sweet Claudette, Luddites, Howard Glazer & El-34s and many others. There also will be karaoke and a disco dance party.

For families, there are some special alcohol-free events at Easy Like Sundae, a frozen yogurt store, at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, with The Fine Line and other teen bands; the Elks Club hosting St. Mary's Prep Jazz Band and the Nighthawks Jazz Orchestra on Wednesday, Jan. 30; and Kulick Community Center presenting Ferndale Middle School Jazz Band and Ferndale High School Jazz Band at 6 p.m. Feb. 6.

Aside from the hot blues, the festival is best known as home of the BBQ Rib Burn Out, from noon to 7 p.m. Feb. 2 in a heated 4,000-square-foot tent outside Dino's. For a $10 donation, you get access to a barbecued ribs contest, side dishe sand music of the Sun Messengers. Beer and cocktails will be available for sale.

Over the years, the blues festival has taken place in every sort of weather, from blinding snowstorms to springlike nights. But don't let the cold keep you at home -- this festival is hot.

"All of the venues are close together, within walking distance," Mills said. "People are sick of being stuck at home in the middle of the winter and want to get out and do something fun. No matter what the weather is, we're having fun."

Beer lovers will find seventh heaven at the fourth annual Winter Beer Fest that takes place Jan. 26 at Royal Oak Music Theatre.

Presented by Westborn Market, the Beer Fest offers samples of more than 100 craft beers from "around the globe, across the state and down the street."

As part of this year's expanded Beer Fest, Westborn Market has set up a vendor balcony featuring a dozen local food vendors such as Johnny Secreto Foods, Dago Joe's Pasta Sauce, Westborn's own authentic hummus, and other spice and snack treats.

"The other side of it is the craft beer market segment has just exploded. It's a trend we are certainly seeing in our stores," Bandyk said.

The event runs 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door, for 25 beer samplings and live music by acoustic duo Reggie and Nick. There also are $70 VIP tickets ($75 at the door), with an extended tasting hour at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit Camp Casey, a nonprofit horseback-riding program for children with cancer.

Royal Oak Music Theatre is at 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak. Tickets are available at any Westborn Markets in Berkley, Dearborn and Livonia, and the theater, 248-399-2980.

Canton native Justine Blazer returns to Coyote Joe's in Shelby Township Jan. 25-26 after finishing her new country music album, "Gasoline."

Blazer, who now resides in Nashville, Tenn., is excited about the 11-song package produced by Nick Autry at Sound Stage in Nashville, where Miranda Lambert, Rodney Adkins and others have worked. Her first single, "Not Going to Take You Back," will be released Jan. 31.

There is a $5 cover charge after 9:30 p.m. Coyote Joe's is at 49940 Ryan Road, 586-254-4666.